Obituary of Sister Laura Filipas, OSF
Sister Laura (M. Claude) Filipas, OSF, was born in Chicago, Illinois, to the late Pearl (Bogdanic) and John J. Filipas on May 28, 1934. She passed into eternal life on April 24, 2023, at Ascension Villa Franciscan Place, Joliet, Illinois, after living as a Joliet Franciscan for 69 years. Sister Laura was preceded in death by her brothers, John Filipas, Peter Filipas, Michael (Mark) Filipas and her sister, Antoinette (Filipas) Eck. She was the youngest member of her family. Sister Laura is survived by her nieces, grandnieces, nephews, many students and cherished friends. She will be remembered for her wit, laughter, warm kindness and deep faith.
Sister Laura attended elementary and three years of high school at Sacred Heart–Englewood, Chicago, Illinois. She is a graduate of St. Francis Academy, Class of 1952. She received her BA from the College of St. Francis, Joliet, Illinois, 1962, and her MA from the University of Illinois, Urbana- Champaign, Illinois, 1971. Her major field was English Literature.
Sister enjoyed being in the classroom and taught every grade from fourth grade to twelfth grade. Her first year of teaching, 1954, was in the fourth grade at St. Ann Catholic School, Lansing, Illinois. During the following years, she taught junior high at Cathedral of St. Raymond School, and then, high school English in Illinois and Ohio. Between 1966-1968, Sister Laura was principal at St. Mary High School, in Columbus, Ohio. Returning to Illinois, in 1969, she was one of the founding core members of the St. Clare House of Prayer, Kankakee, Illinois, where she remained for ten years before becoming co-administrator at St. Francis Convent from 1979-1983. She said that a full-time apostolate of prayer was a good service for her because she could enjoy the beauty of nature, quiet reflection, and Bible study.
Sister Laura began a new chapter of life as she accepted the position of pastoral associate, in 1984, and then Director of Adult Education and Formation, in 1990, Ss. Peter and Paul Parish, Naperville, Illinois. She continued her ministry in faith formation at St. Patrick Parish, St. Charles, Illinois, until 2009. Even in retirement, Sister Laura found opportunities for community service and education. She looked forward to teaching English as a second language at Sanchez School, Joliet, Illinois. During her career, Sister ministered to the youth, the sick, the elderly, those seeking spiritual direction, those longing for the Word of God, and those seeking to deepen their love for the Gospel. For Sister Laura, teaching and learning was a lifelong joy.
Visitation for Sister Laura Filipas will be held at 10:00 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 404 North Hickory Street, Tuesday, May 2, 2023, followed by the Mass for Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. Remembrances and Committal will take place approximately 12:00 p.m. in the Chapel at Resurrection Cemetery, 200 W. Romeo Rd. Romeoville, IL 60446. All are invited to attend.
If you would like to make a donation in honor of Sister Laura Filipas, or another Joliet Franciscan Sister, please send your memorial to the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate, 1433 Essington Road, Joliet, IL, 60435.
For more information, please call 815-741-5500 or visit her Memorial Tribute Page at www.fredcdames.com.
